Something Like Box Set

Chapter 5-2

I got to the set at three minutes after seven the next morning, and when I saw the Camaro in the parking lot, I moved quickly. I walked straight to Lucas’s dressing room. The door was cracked open, and I could hear the soft strains of some 80’s rock ballad. I didn’t knock, didn’t ask for permission, just walked in the room and shut the door quietly behind me.

It took him a second to realize I was there. When he did his face lit up with a grin, before a scowl quickly took its place.

“I wanted to say thank you.” I kept my voice soft and calm. “They’re beautiful, and I really appreciate it.”

He opened his mouth, and for a second I knew he was going to deny that he knew what I was talking about. I could see it all over his face. But then he deflated and blew out a breath. “You’re welcome.”

I waited, but he didn’t say anything else. Okay, then. It was up to me. I cleared my throat. “Look, Lucas, I think we need to talk—”

“Yes,” he cut me off fast, his gaze darting wildly around the room like the thought there might be someone spying. “But not here, okay?”

I nodded slowly. I didn’t know the source of his nerves, but I didn’t want to spook him. “Okay. Not here. Where?”

“Um.” He licked his lips, and then his gaze finally settled on a spot somewhere over my left shoulder. His voice dropped even lower, like he didn’t want to be overheard. “Come to my place tonight? I should be done and home by eight.”

I weighed that for a long moment, really thinking it over. It had to be a good thing that he was inviting me over. He must finally be ready to talk, and I took that as a good sign. As I stood there studying his face, I saw something like hope in his eyes. He was a terribly confusing individual, and I didn’t understand anything about him or his motivation. But there was only one way to find out.

“Okay, yeah. I’ll come by tonight.” I hadn’t taken my gaze off him, and I did not miss that brief flash of relief that crossed his face.

“Good. Okay. Good.” He blew out a breath, and he focused on me. His lips quirked into a tiny smile. It wasn’t much, but it was nice to see. “I’ll pick you up on my way through, okay?”

But I didn’t want to be stuck there if things went south. I wanted to be able to leave if it got ugly. I shook my head, but softened it with a smile. “Just text me the address. I’ll find it.”

“Um. All right.” Lucas looked disappointed, but he dutifully rattled off his cell number for me to put in my phone. I quickly shot him a text, a smiley face, so he would have my number as well. That concluded, we both stood there, awkwardly staring at each other.

I broke first, laughing at the situation. Lucas’s smile was sheepish, and he shook his head.

“I’ve got to go to makeup,” he murmured.

“Yeah,” I responded. Then looked him straight in the eye. “I don’t have to be here today. I came to track you down.”

His nostrils flared as he sucked in a deep breath, and his pupils widened. “We’ll talk tonight.”

My gaze didn’t waver. “I’m looking forward to it.”